Cain told a medical professional he was having suicidal thoughts Sunday morning. Shortly afterward, the OPSO medical professional notified the mental health professional on duty, the Sheriff's Office said.

The OPSO said when the mental health team and deputies were preparing to enter the cell the staff discovered Cain was attempting to harm himself in his cell using a sweatshirt.

"OPSO mental health and medical personnel attended to inmate Cain, who did not lose consciousness," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Cain was taken to a hospital as a precaution. The OPSO has opened an investigation into Sunday morning's incident, which is ongoing.

The New Orleans Police Department said Cain is the suspect in the shooting of Peter Gold, a Tulane medical student, and the rape of a couple in the Desire neighborhood.

Cain was rebooked in connection with the rape that was reported the day after the Nov. 20 shooting in the Lower Garden District. He pleaded not guilty to the initial charges in the incident involving Gold, who has since been released from a hospital.

Nictoria Washington, who was identified as Cain's girlfriend, was arrested in the case after police said they found him at her home. She is charged with being an accessory after the fact to attempted armed robbery.